Gun and firearms should be considered as an aggravating circumstance when a crime is committed, whether or not a crime, an injury, or death occurs.

Think about all the wildlife in our world and how balance naturally occurs in survival. They have only what was provided them by nature and they don't kill for anything other that survival (not stuff). Now think about a very different human situation that would exist if we only had what was provided us, even considering our intelligence. There would be far fewer injuries and deaths if we had no firearms. - - - - - The fact that we do have firearms and it is all legal presents the conundrum.

Many people would never think of attacking someone with something other than a gun. It is too risky when one is in direct contact with their victim.

Because guns and their ability to allow someone to act remotely put such a distinct advantage into the perpetrators hands, it only makes sense to have an additional penalty when a gun or firearm is used. Actually, some sentencing does take that into consideration now but the problem is that no one knows if, when, how or what amount, that might be applied. They also have the attitude that "my lawyer can fix it". None of this deters and that is one of the main reasons to have law. that acts as a behavioral guideline.

When you have undefined sentencing guidelines that apply after the crime, everyone tends to treat them as non-existent and when people feel that way, there is no deterrence. GOOD LAW WILL DETER PEOPLE FROM DOING BAD THINGS.

That is why H.E.G.I.C. has taken the position it has in presenting this idea in our position paper.

If we do not make a clear distinction in our laws soon, the NRA's point, "The only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun". could be interpreted to mean that we citizens have only one choice and that is to level the playing field, (everyone owns a gun). We at H.E.G.I.C. prefer a better law which we believe is the correct approach in an educated and free society.

WE MUST DEMONSTRATE THAT WE NO LONGER WILL TOLERATE THE ILLEGAL USE OF A GUN.